Hari Gopinath Das

“Chaitanya Charitamrita” by Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami is the most comprehensive and authoritative biography of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

It is divided into three main sections or Lilas, each with numerous chapters, providing a detailed account of the Lord’s life, teachings, and ecstatic devotional activities.

Let’s revise as outline of all the chapters:

I. Adi-Lila (The Initial Pastimes) – 17 Chapters This section primarily deals with the esoteric and philosophical reasons for Lord Chaitanya’s appearance, His identity as the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Krishna), and His early life and associates.

Chapter 1: The Spiritual Masters: Introduction, glorification of the spiritual masters, the Pancha-Tattva (Lord Chaitanya, Nityananda, Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasa).

Chapter 2: Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Is the Supreme Personality of Godhead: Establishes Lord Chaitanya’s divine identity through scriptural evidence.

Chapter 3: The External Reasons for Lord Chaitanya’s Appearance: Describes the kali-yuga conditions and the Lord’s desire to propagate the sankirtana movement.

Chapter 4: The Confidential Reasons for Lord Chaitanya’s Appearance: Explains the inner desires of Krishna to experience the love of Radharani and His own sweetness.

Chapter 5: The Glories of Lord Nityananda Balarama: Details the identity and pastimes of Lord Nityananda as the expansion of Balarama.

Chapter 6: The Glories of Sri Advaita Acharya: Describes Advaita Acharya’s identity and His fervent prayers that caused the Lord to descend.

Chapter 7: Lord Chaitanya in Five Features: Elaborates on the Pancha-Tattva and their collective role in the sankirtana movement.

Chapter 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Krishna and Guru: Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami explains how he was inspired to write this great work.

Chapter 9: The Desire Tree of Devotional Service: Lord Chaitanya is described as the original desire tree of devotional service, from whom all branches and fruits originate.

Chapter 10: The Trunk, Branches, and Sub-branches of the Caitanya Tree: Discusses the prominent devotees who formed the core of the Chaitanya movement, spreading devotional service.

Chapter 11: The Expansions of Lord Nityananda: Details the various associates and expansions of Lord Nityananda Prabhu.

Chapter 12: The Expansions of Advaita Acharya and Gadadhara Pandita: Describes the associates of Advaita Acharya and Gadadhara Pandita.

Chapter 13: The Advent of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The actual birth and childhood pastimes of Lord Chaitanya in Mayapur.

Chapter 14: Lord Chaitanya’s Childhood Pastimes: Humorous and enchanting pastimes of Nimai (Lord Chaitanya’s childhood name).

Chapter 15: The Lord’s Pauganda-lila: Pastimes in the age of 5-10 years, including His mischievous acts and displaying divine knowledge.

Chapter 16: The Pastimes of the Lord in His Childhood and Youth: Further childhood and early youth pastimes, including His education.

Chapter 17: The Pastimes of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in His Youth: Describes His scholarly prowess, His marriage, and His growing spiritual inclination.

II. Madhya-Lila (The Middle Pastimes) – 25 Chapters

This is the longest section, focusing on Lord Chaitanya’s sannyasa (renunciation), His extensive travels, His interactions with various devotees, and His profound philosophical discourses.

Chapter 1: The Later Pastimes of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The Lord’s acceptance of sannyasa and His journey to Puri.

Chapter 2: The Ecstatic Manifestations of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Describes the Lord’s intense devotional emotions and His journey towards Puri.

Chapter 3: Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Stay at the House of Advaita Acharya: His visit to Shantipura and meeting with His mother, Sachi Devi.

Chapter 4: Sri Madhavendra Puri’s Devotional Service: The story of Madhavendra Puri, the spiritual master of Isvara Puri (Lord Chaitanya’s guru), and his deep love for Krishna.

Chapter 5: The Activities of Saksi-Gopala: The story of the Saksi-Gopala Deity who became a witness.

Chapter 6: The Liberation of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya: Lord Chaitanya’s initial interactions and later conversion of the great Mayavadi scholar Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya.

Chapter 7: The Lord Begins His Tour of South India: Lord Chaitanya’s pilgrimage through various holy places in South India.

Chapter 8: Talks Between Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya: The famous philosophical dialogue between Lord Chaitanya and Ramananda Raya, revealing the highest platform of devotional service.

Chapter 9: Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Travels to the Holy Places: Further descriptions of His travels and the liberation of various souls.

Chapter 10: The Lord’s Return to Jagannatha Puri: His return to Puri and reunion with His devotees.

Chapter 11: The Beda-kirtana Pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: His congregational chanting and dancing around the Jagannatha temple.

Chapter 12: The Cleansing of the Gundica Temple: Lord Chaitanya’s personal participation in cleaning the Gundica temple before Ratha-yatra.

Chapter 13: The Ecstatic Dancing of the Lord at Ratha-yatra: Describes the Lord’s ecstatic dancing during the annual Ratha-yatra festival.

Chapter 14: Performance of the Vrindavana Pastimes: Lord Chaitanya’s absorption in Krishna’s Vrindavana pastimes during Ratha-yatra.

Chapter 15: The Lord Accepts Prasada at the House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya: Details of His eating pastimes and interactions with devotees.

Chapter 16: The Lord’s Attempt to Go to Vrindavana: His desire and attempts to travel to Vrindavana.

Chapter 17: The Lord Travels to Vrindavana: His successful journey to the holy land of Vrindavana.

Chapter 18: Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Visit to Sri Vrindavana: His experiences and revelations in Vrindavana.

Chapter 19: Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Srila Rupa Goswami: The Lord’s instructions to Rupa Goswami on the science of devotional service.

Chapter 20: Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Sanatana Goswami in the Science of the Absolute Truth: Profound teachings on sambandha (relationship), abhideya (process), and prayojana (goal).

Chapter 21: The Opulence and Sweetness of Lord Sri Krishna: Discussions on the two aspects of Krishna’s beauty: opulence and sweetness.

Chapter 22: The Process of Devotional Service: Detailed exposition of the 64 items of devotional service.

Chapter 23: Life’s Ultimate Goal—Love of Godhead: The culmination of devotional service in pure love for Krishna.

Chapter 24: The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse: Lord Chaitanya’s astonishing explanations of a single verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Chapter 25: How All the Residents of Varanasi Became Vaisnavas: The Lord’s preaching in Varanasi and its effect on the local population.

III. Antya-Lila (The Final Pastimes) – 20 ChaptersThis section describes Lord Chaitanya’s last 18 years, spent in Jagannatha Puri, immersed in intense feelings of separation from Krishna, manifesting the mood of Radharani.

Chapter 1: Srila Rupa Goswami’s Second Meeting With the Lord: Rupa Goswami’s return to Puri and his interactions with the Lord.

Chapter 2: The Chastisement of Junior Haridasa: A significant incident highlighting the Lord’s strictness regarding sannyasa principles.

Chapter 3: The Glories of Srila Haridasa Thakura: The life and devotional glories of Namacharya Haridasa Thakura.

Chapter 4: Sanatana Goswami Visits the Lord at Jagannatha Puri: Sanatana Goswami’s pilgrimage to Puri and his meeting with Lord Chaitanya.

Chapter 5: How Pradyumna Misra Received Instructions from Ramananda Raya: The Lord’s continued interactions with His close associates.

Chapter 6: The Meeting of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Raghunatha Dasa Goswami: Raghunatha Dasa Goswami’s renunciation and his surrender to the Lord.

Chapter 7: The Meeting of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Vallabha Bhatta: The Lord’s discussions with the scholar Vallabha Bhatta.

Chapter 8: Ramacandra Puri Criticizes the Lord: An incident where a strict sannyasi criticizes the Lord’s behavior.

Chapter 9: The Deliverance of Gopinatha Pattanayaka: The Lord’s mercy on the fallen.

Chapter 10: Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Accepts Prasada from His Devotees: His acceptance of food from His devotees.

Chapter 11: The Passing of Haridasa Thakura: The glorious departure of Haridasa Thakura from this world.

Chapter 12: The Loving Dealings Between Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Jagadananda Pandita: Intimate pastimes with Jagadananda Pandita.

Chapter 13: Pastimes with Jagadananda Pandita and Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami: Further interactions with these prominent devotees.

Chapter 14: Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Feelings of Separation from Krishna: The beginning of the profound descriptions of the Lord’s ecstatic madness in separation.

Chapter 15: The Transcendental Madness of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Deep and intricate descriptions of maha-bhava, the highest stage of ecstatic love, specifically in the mood of Radharani.

Chapter 16: Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Tastes Nectar from the Lips of Lord Sri Krishna: His internal experience of direct contact with Krishna.

Chapter 17: The Bodily Transformations of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The symptoms of His extreme spiritual ecstasy.

Chapter 18: Rescuing the Lord from the Sea: Incidents where the Lord, in His divine madness, would run towards the ocean.

Chapter 19: The Inconceivable Behavior of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Further descriptions of His unprecedented expressions of love.

Chapter 20: The Siksastaka Prayers: The eight devotional verses spoken by Lord Chaitanya, which are considered the essence of Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy.

Jaya SrilaThis outline provides a general overview. Each chapter itself contains numerous sub-narratives, philosophical explanations, and poetic descriptions that delve deeply into the life and teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the essence of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

Jaya Srila Prabhupada!!